China's first large cargo drone capable of carrying a 1-ton payload, the TP1000, successfully completed its maiden flight on Saturday morning in Qingdao City, east China's Shandong province.
This innovative aircraft is notable for being the country's first large unmanned transport aircraft equipped with airdrop capabilities.
Developed fully in accordance with China's civil aviation standards for large cargo drones, the TP1000 has a takeoff weight of 3.3 tons and a maximum payload capacity of 1,000 kilograms. Compared to its predecessor, the TP500, the new model boasts increased cargo capacity and extended range, with a maximum range of 1,000 kilometers when fully loaded.
Together, these drones will form a complementary product lineup designed to meet the rapidly growing demand for low-altitude cargo transport.
Crucially, the TP1000 is also equipped with smart airdrop functionality, enhancing its capabilities in emergency response and disaster relief operations.
"The maiden flight lasted 26 minutes, and the aircraft's performance was stable throughout. All performance metrics met our expectations. During the flight, the drone exhibited excellent stability, maneuverability, and power system performance, with all parameters remaining within ideal ranges," said Jin Ge, the leader of the TP1000 research and development team.
The TP1000 is expected to enter operational service by 2026, representing a significant advancement in China's unmanned aerial vehicle technology and its applications in logistics and emergency response.
China's first 1-ton payload cargo drone completes maiden flight
China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) reviewed a record number of new drug registration applications in 2024, marking a year-on-year increase of 16.2 percent, with antineoplastic drugs accounting for the largest share, according to the administration.
In 2024, the NMPA evaluated a total of 18,259 drug registration applications, a figure that reflects the vitality of China's innovation in drug research and development.
"The record number of reviewed drug applications is a clear sign of China's rapidly growing biopharmaceutical industry. The approval of high-quality new drugs not only gives Chinese patients more and better treatment options, but also shows China's increasing role in the global pharmaceutical market, offering more Chinese solutions to patients around the world," said Yuan Lijia, a staff member at the Center for Drug Evaluation under the NMPA.
Notably, in 2024, applications for clinical trial and market approval of new anti-tumor drugs ranked first among all chemical drugs and biologics, accounting for even half of the total.
"In 2024, anti-tumor drugs made up the largest share of approved clinical trial applications, with over 41 percent being chemical drugs and more than 55 percent being biologics. Throughout the year, anti-tumor drugs also led in the number of innovative drugs approved, with both chemical drugs and biologics surpassing 36 percent," said Geng Ying, an official with the center.
In 2024, China approved the market entry of 48 innovative drugs and 65 innovative medical devices. Its number of drugs in development ranked second globally, and several domestically developed drugs gained approval for global markets.
China's new drug registration applications hit record high in 2024
